Severe Storms Cause Widespread Flooding in Clarksville, Tennessee

CLARKSVILLE, TN (April 7, 2025) – Severe storms have caused extensive flooding across Montgomery County, prompting local officials to declare a Local State of Emergency on Monday. The declaration allows city and county agencies to mobilize resources to protect citizens and expedite assistance as the region continues to grapple with the aftermath of heavy rainfall.

As of Monday evening, officials reported that 165 homes have been damaged, with a significant number of these properties suffering major damage. The Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden and Clarksville Mayor Joe Pitts initiated the emergency measures to facilitate coordinated responses to the flooding crisis, during which 127 residential properties and 14 commercial properties were affected.

Affected areas include the Farmington neighborhood, which saw some of the worst flooding, particularly along Dunlop Lane. Joshua Peltz, spokesman for the Montgomery County Highway Department, stated floodwaters were still spilling from the Dunlop Lane basin into the Farmington neighborhood as of early Monday afternoon. “Water levels dropped drastically in a short period, but the reduction has now slowed considerably,” remarked Peltz, as crews worked to monitor the situation closely.

According to preliminary data from the National Weather Service, the first round of storms brought between 1 to 4 inches of rain from Wednesday to Friday, followed by an additional nearly 5 inches from Friday afternoon to Sunday evening, with the total reaching alarming heights within a span of just several days. Local emergency services deployed boats to evacuate about two dozen residents and their pets from submerged areas.

To mitigate further flooding, Montgomery County Highway Department personnel began pumping water out of the Dunlop Lane basin, where the situation worsened with the development of a large sinkhole after the injection well opened on Sunday night. “Our priority remains ensuring public safety,” noted Peltz, emphasizing the response and resource allocation.

The flooding also led to power outages in parts of the area, particularly in the Wellington Fields subdivision where the local electric cooperative, CEMC, cut power to mitigate hazards from electrical lines due to floodwaters. Evacuations were also necessary in the Hickory Wild area, where Clarksville Fire Rescue helped evacuate residents.

As of Sunday night, a Red Cross shelter opened at the Crow Recreation Center, with additional resources provided at 1255 Paradise Hill Road for those affected by the floods. The United Way of the Greater Clarksville Region has also established a centralized service to aid residents needing assistance following the environmental crisis.

In light of the flooded conditions, mayoral officials and emergency management teams reiterated the importance of residents not attempting to drive through flooded areas. Mayor Pitts has urged those in low-lying regions to seek higher ground and to stay tuned to official updates as the weather continues to evolve.

With evacuations, continued rainfall, and growing concerns over additional flooding, city officials are on high alert. The Cumberland River, which is projected to crest at minor flood stage, has already caused significant impacts to various locations, including Liberty Park and the Clarksville Marina.

This extreme weather is part of a larger system that has affected multiple states across the country, with officials continuing to monitor ongoing developments and risks amid an extended forecast of severe weather conditions.